SAVE THE DATE!
It’s almost time for this year’s Recovery Month Event, “An Evening of Recovery”! September is National Recovery Month and on September 10th Labette Center will be hosting the 2026 annual event. Watch for more details coming soon for this year’s event!
| News from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing: Overwhelming Majority of Kansas Voters Want Congress to Increase Funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Kansas Voters Want Congress to Increase Funding for CCBHCs TOPEKA, KS. (June 30, 2026) — An overwhelming majority of Kansas voters (76%) across the political spectrum support increased investment in mental health and substance use care provided by Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), according to a new poll by Fabrizio Ward.The findings build on recent national data showing broad public support for the CCBHC model. “Implementation of the CCBHC model in Kansas has been a game changer for the community mental health system. CCBHCs are already achieving promising outcomes, including faster access to care and expanded crisis services, with the overarching goal of not only providing treatment to reduce a person’s symptomatology but also to improve their overall well-being to foster recovery and self-sufficiency,” said Kyle Kessler, executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas. “Continuing to support this investment in mental health is vital, and Kansans agree.” “These poll numbers make clear that the people in Kansas want their members of Congress to support expansion of mental health and substance use care,” said Reyna Taylor, vice president of policy and advocacy at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “When so many issues seem to part along political lines, improving access to mental health and substance use care is one that clearly brings voters together — across the political spectrum. Now is the time for Kansas policy makers to act on this overwhelming support.” Congress is considering bipartisan legislation — the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, (S.3402 / H.R.8487) — that would expand CCBHCs further nationwide. Making it possible for Kansas communities to sustain CCBHCs will ensure people can continue to access lifesaving care, including crisis care, when and where they need it.CCBHCs are clinics that receive flexible funding to support their costs of expanding the scope of mental health and substance use care and serving new people in their community. They tailor their services to meet their community’s individual needs. CCBHCs are required to provide nine core services, including specialized care for veterans and structured collaboration with other community partners to ease pressure on emergency departments and law enforcement. The Sunflower state became the first state to pass legislation in 2021 identifying the CCBHC model as a solution to the mental health and substance use crisis, laying the groundwork to transform the community mental health system. Today, there are 25 CCBHCs with representation across all 105 Kansas counties. Methodology: Fabrizio Ward conducted a survey April 23-28, 2026, of 400 registered voters in Kansas on behalf of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Click here for full methodology. Tony Fabrizio has served as chief pollster for President Donald Trump since 2016. Contact:Michelle PonceAssociate DirectorAssociation of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, Inc.mponce@acmhck.org620-481-9289 |
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LCMHS Jail Program Report
(Reporting Period: 12/1/2025-5/31/2025)
Starting on December 1st, 2025, Labette Center for Mental Health Services and the Labette County Jail began partnering to remove barriers to care for individuals within the jail system, ensuring access to substance use and mental health support during incarceration and beyond.
This collaboration builds on several years of joint efforts, including Labette County’s participation in the Stepping Up Initiative, which introduced mental health screenings during jail intake. In summer 2024, Labette Center began offering group-based substance use treatment within the jail.
Total # of Individuals Served in Labette County Jail through the Jail Program: 57
- 95% (54) of individuals have remained in services with Labette Center.
- 35% (20) of those individuals were either new to Labette Center or were individuals who had not received any services from Labette Center for at least one year prior to 12/1/2025.
- 23% (13) of those individuals are reporting complete sobriety or at least a reductio in substance use.
- This number does not reflect those who remain incarcerated or are in involuntary psychiatric or competency holds at a state institution.
- 46% (26) of those individuals are showing active signs of improvement.
- “Active signs of improvement” for purposes of this data means that their case met at least two of the following criteria:
- Participating in inpatient SUD treatment voluntarily.
- Actively participating in outpatient treatment and attending appointments regularly.
- Screening scores are showing progress/improvements over time.
- Progress notes documenting the client is exhibiting increased insight/accountability.
- The individual has not been rearrested during the current episode of care to the knowledge of Labette Center.
- Progress notes indicating other progress made toward the treatment goals.
The enhanced program includes:
- Qualified Mental Health Professional/Addiction Counselor: Providing therapy and substance use treatment three days per week, three hours per day.
- ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Services: A comprehensive, team-based approach designed to provide support and treatment for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI).
- Re-entry Case Manager: Assisting two days per week, two hours per day with housing, employment, and other resources for successful community reintegration.
- Peer Support Specialist: Engaging with inmates two days per week, two hours per day. Peer Support Specialists bring lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, offering unique insight and encouragement.
During incarceration, participants are active in services provided by Labette Center, ensuring a seamless transition to ongoing care upon release. This model is expected to significantly increase post-release engagement in treatment, improve behavioral health outcomes, support recovery from substance use, and reduce recidivism.
| LCMHS CCBHC Crisis Services by the Number During the first half of 2026, Labette Center provided a total of 302 crisis services to individuals. Of those services provided 47% received in office care and 53% received crisis service through the Center’s mobile crisis. 78% of individuals were diverted from higher level care, providing them with the ability to stay in their community, while only 16% were admitted to a higher level of care. |
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Celebrating Our Team! Join us in congratulating Peter Smith, Clinical Director, on 10 years with Labette Center! Peter celebrated his 10 year anniversary in June 16th. Thank you for all you do for those we serve!A Kansas native, Smith spent most of his life in Parsons, KS. He graduated from Labette County High School and then went on to serve four years in the United States Marine Corps as a Fire Direction Controlman in Artillery, spending most of his time in the Pacific area. After returning from the military, he went on to obtain a Bachelor of Social Work from Pittsburg State University and a Master of Social Work from Washburn University. In 2018, he became an LMAC and an LSCSW in 2020. Smith became the Clinical Director for the Center in 2023. Smith enjoys spending time with his wife, two children and two fur children as well as smoking meat, grilling and spending time outdoors. _____________________________________________________________________________________________  |
   Labette Center Shirt Appears in Kenya! Labette Center’s certified medical aid has Jon Tower, CMA, recently crossed the ocean on a mission trip to Bungoma, Kenya in Africa. Jon, pictured holding a Labette Center t-shirt, traveled to Kenya to help |
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 There’s still time to register for our July Mental Health First Aid courses! Adult MHFA – July 9th 9am-3:30 Blended Virtual Course – Youth MHFA – July 17th 10am-3pm Blended Virtual Course 9am-2pm For more information visit our website at: MHFA Courses offered free of charge to individuals who live or work in Labette County! |
| Sign Up TODAY for MHFA and QPR Labette Center offers a wide range of courses to provide individuals in our community with the tools to assist a person who is struggling with mental health challenges or is a mental health crisis! Visit our website to find out more about Mental Health First Aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) to sign up for an upcoming course or request a course for an organization or group.Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an interactive public education program. Through the course, individuals are able to learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Labette Center is proud to be able to provide both the adult and youth versions of this course as well as the brand new teen MHFA. In QPR the general public is educated about the known warning signs of a suicide crisis: expressions of hopelessness, depression, giving away prized possessions, talking of suicide, securing lethal means, and then taught how to respond. For more information about signing up for an upcoming course, visit our website! QPR Mental Health First Aid |
| Download our app today and join the growing community of individuals who are taking control of their mental health care journey. To access the LCMHS Patient Portal through the website, visit: https://portal.lcmhs.com/ – Be sure to update your current email address with your provider. Individuals can contact Labette Center at 620-421-3770 or check with your provider at your next visit. Download the app “LCMHS Patient Portal” from the App Store or Google Play or visit online through the website. Enter your email address and choose “Help, I can’t sign in” to set up the account. Begin accessing YOUR information! |
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